This past week, SAP’s Sue Martin (Global Certification Director) and Tim Breitwieser (Global Education Portfolio Manager) provided an ASUG webcast regarding the SAP Certification program and what is new with the BusinessObjects Certification Program. This webcast was hosted by the ASUG BusinessObjects Strategic Special Interest Group.

Sue explained that they are transforming the certification program with input from various user groups.

Figure 1: Source SAP

Figure 1 shows what SAP is trying to achieve with certification. Certification is to ensure skill quality.

SAP is looking at what they can improve and enhance through global certification, recognizing the speed of change in the SAP world, and what can apply in marketplace to ensure implementation projects are on time.

Several changes are being made based on feedback. They have moved to a job-task analysis rather than product-function-feature test. They want real life experience and not just based on training.

What are the mission critical tasks that you need to know – implementation, optimization, running. They want to include relevant practice experience.

In the cecond area, transformation, they obtained stakeholder feedback via surveys from 12000+ who have been certified – what has it done for your career path, competitive advantage and drive recognition for your SAP skills.

Figure 2, Source: SAP

In the past, certifications were based on implementations and now they want to move to a plan-build-run and focus on the advanced experience levels. Multiple certification levels arose from this. Sue said they are working with the Certification Influence Council and more flexible delivery capabilities through the VUE test centers.

Figure 3, Source: SAP

Figure 3 shows the 3 tiers of certification. Master level is not available yet.

Figure 4: Source: SAP

Sue said SAP has worked internally to get its own consultants certified (left of Figure 4). They are focusing on increasing the value of certification.

Figure 5: Source: SAP

Sue said since SAPPHIRE Orlando they have had a Certification Influence Council (CIC), to help determine the strategic direction of the program and to give insight to pain points. They met face to face in Madrid and have task forces to drive improvement.